How to Make a Cork World Map

Introduction: How to Make a Cork World Map

This World Map is a great way to plan travel and figure out where in the world you'll be going in the future! It's simple and only requires a short 10 steps!

Step 1: Step 1: Collect Materials

This project requires minimal materials, which makes it easy to find everything you need. For this project, I bought four sheets of cork, and four different colors of paint (not all of which are pictured above). I used bright red, orange, purple, and dark blue. Thumbtacks were also a key part of the project theme.

Step 2: Step 2: Outline Each Continent

I only provided one example above because it is not that difficult of a step. I went online and found outlines of each continent and used that as a reference. I did not trace them because I felt it would be less authentic and original. I do recommend using a dark colored sharpie, it is so much more visible than pencil.

Step 3: Step 3: Cut Out Continent

This step proved to be a bit of a challenge, in the beginning I tried an XACTO knife, which was didn't work as I thought it would. After that I tried scissors, and they just ripped up the cork. I found that the key to this is a very sharp pair of scissors, it is much easier to get through the cork that way.

Step 4: Step 4: Apply Base Coat of Paint

I found that applying two coats of paint for this project was necessary. I started with a light base coat just to get a feel for the color and then let it dry overnight.

Step 5: Step 5: Apply Second Coat of Paint

I went with a very thick layer of paint for this step because I really wanted to colors to be as vibrant as possible. After the cork was able to dry, the color brightness intensified. I think the second coat of paint was truly necessary.

Step 6: Step 6: Apply Thumbtacks

The main part of this project was putting thumbtacks in the places where I've been and where I'd like to go. The red and blue pins stand for the places I've been and the other colors symbolize places in the world that I'd like to visit in the future.

Step 7: Step 7: Create Small Islands Out of Leftover Cork

This step is optional, however if you are an island vacationer, it might be a step you want to take. There was a fair amount of leftover cork in this project and I thought that creating small islands with the leftovers could be something I want to do in the future.

Step 8: Step 8: Find a Spot on a Wall That Suits Your Needs

I ended up needing about two square feet for this project, and considering I have a lot of posters in my room, it was difficult to find space. I did have to condense the world a bit in order to make it fit the space I had.

Step 9: Step 9: Place and Secure the Continents

I used regular scotch tape to secure the continents to my wall and it seems to be working fine. I tried to space them out enough to make them distinguishable from the pieces around them.

Step 10: Step 10: Enjoy Your Completed Masterpiece!

You have officially completed this Instructables project! Congratulations!